How do we know God cares about us?

Louis Giglio is the host of several videos that we use in our Senior Class. He is a dynamic speaker and enjoyable to listen to. One of our college students came across this message by him and passed it on to me. It was very interesting. I hope you enjoy it. It gives you something to think about.

Cal

Following God's Lead

I am watching a rerun of the series Lost tonight. It is from season three. In the show Desmond sees the future. He has been able to save Charlie's life three times as a result of these visions.

There is a part of me, and probably many of us, that would like to know the future. It certainly would make it easier to make decisions if we knew what was going to happen. We would always choose the things that gave us the best outcomes.

The only problem with this rationale is that it isn't true. If it was then no one would ever choose to smoke cigarettes, take drugs, get drunk or sign up for the military. The truth is that we often feel invincible even to the point that we will not believe anything bad can happen to us. Despite all the evidence, people still make bad choices. So knowing the future would probably not make much of a difference for many of us because we would just ignore it.

Getting back to Lost, it hit me that Desmond was trying to do what God often does. Because Charlie couldn't help himself, Desmond kept interceding on Charlie's behalf. He kept getting in the way and trying to change the outcome by leading him in new directions.

Ultimately we are responsible for our choices. But I believe that God is gracious and he is involved in our lives. He tries to steer us out of harm's way. He tries to guide us into blessings. But we need to be alert and aware of his presence. If we follow God's lead, we will be blessed.

The gifts we receive from others

Today I had lunch with Pastor Les Young from the Living Word Fellowship in Voluntown. He and I have known each other for years. As a matter of fact we met shortly after I came to Norwich. In the late 1980's I met Les, his brother, Gary, their dad and several others who later became a part of the church in Voluntown.

It's funny how these circles grow and develop. Ten years later I was a part of a prayer group with Les that helped me grow in my understanding of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit. Five years later Les and I were part of a group that was praying for our community every week at City Hall.

He is one of the people that God has brought into my life to help me grow. The truth is that we all have people like this. Most of the time we don't fully understand it at the time. Yet they come into our lives and share something very important. They teach us how to be more compassionate, more forgiving, more deeply spiritual Sometimes they don't even know they are doing it. That's the beauty of it.

Like pollen that is carried from one plant to another by bumblebees, these gifts are passed along so that God's work can continue through each of us.

Cal

My Father's Eyes

Amy Grant changed my world when I heard her sing. I liked Christian music but never thought that it included popular tune that anyone could enjoy. I'll never forget my mother bringing home one of her albums and playing it. I fell in love with her and always take a step back in time when I hear her again.

So enjoy Amy Grant and let her take you back with this song.

Cal

Blind Boys of Alabama

A few years ago we went up to the music festival on Loon Mountain and heard the Blind Boys of Alabama for the first time. They are great. Hope you enjoy this.

Cal

That's Jesus

I love Randy Travis and when I hear him singing songs of faith, my heart flips. Enjoy this one titled, "That's Jesus.

Cal

To capture a parent's heart

Have you ever noticed that when you pay attention to someone's children they really sit up and notice? A few weeks ago we were in Mexico hosting a nightly Vacation Bible School for neighborhood kids. One night we invited the children to trace their handprints on a banner. They were all excited to participate.

One little guy must have thought he was too small to join in the fun. He stood hiding behind his mother and peeking out at us. I reached out to him and invited him to put his hand up on the sheet. He hesitated and then took a step forward. I couldn't speak Spanish but I smiled and demonstrated by putting my hand down. Then I said "mano" which means hand.

As I encouraged the little guy I suddenly noticed the mother was smiling too. She then began urging him forward. Before long he was all smiles and he had his hand down and was part of the fun. The mother was also more engaged and the family seemed to finally feel welcome.

As they went inside the thought struck me that if you pay attention to a person's child, you will get the parent's attention as well. I guess the same is true with God. When you embrace his son, when you accept his gift of grace, God looks at you differently. Any friend of the son will capture the heart of God as well.

Cal